Timeline: Feral horses in Kosci

Kosciuszko’s feral horse population has grown from 1700 horses in 2005 to over 20,000 horse in 2019. Despite broad support from politicians, scientists, farmers, fishers, tourism operators, environmentalists and the general public, efforts to introduce management plans that effectively reduce feral horse numbers have been thwarted.

Follow the history of Kosci’s feral horse numbers, management plans, political action and scientific developments below.

1944

Kosciusko State Park created to protect its water catchments from hard hooved animals. It was upgraded to Kosciuszko National Park in 1967.

2000

606 feral horses are shot from a helicopter in Guy Fawkes River National Park that were suffering from drought and recent bushfires.

Prof. Tony English, head of the University of Sydney veterinary faculty, reviews the aerial cull of feral horses in Guy Fawkes River National Park and concluded that the horses had been killed humanely.

2003

Kosciuszko Horse management plan implemented, trialling the use of trapping, roping and mustering.

2005

Estimated Kosciuszko feral horse population is 1700. A reduction from an estimate of 3000 in 2002 due to deaths from large bushfires in 2003.

2008

Wild horse management plan implemented, allowing trapping and rehoming or trapping and trucking to the abattoir.

2014

Estimated Kosicuszko feral horse population is 6150.

2015

The independent technical reference group supporting the development of the draft 2016 horse management plan assessed the the humaneness of wild horse management methods and deem aerial culling as one of the most humane control methods available.

2016

The draft Kosciuszko horse management plan was released for public comment. This proposed a reduction of horse numbers to 600 by 2036.

Public consultation involved over 21,000 people through surveys, focus groups and submissions.

2017-2019

Horse removal halted in 2016 in southern end of Kosciuszko and August 2017 in the northern end. Trapping and trucking to the abattoir removed as control option from 2017.